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Post by John on Jan 4, 2022 15:25:23 GMT -7
I went on my acoustic buying rampage about 3-4 years ago. Three Martins, two Larrivees in a short period of time. Different body sizes and shapes. But I stopped short of getting a Martin OM or OOO. (same body size but OOO is short scale) I shouldn't have paused, because the place where I bought most of them has closed. (They were elderly and it was time) So I've always had a Martin OM on my mind. I'd been interested in the OM-28...a guitar with fancy herringbone binding. Elderly in Lansing, MI had one...they sold it. Guitar Riot in Cleveland had one...they sold it. And I couldn't find anyone who had one. Then recently Martin prices went up. So I started considering a Martin OM-21. Pretty much the same as the 28, but with simple black binding...and cheaper.
I saw on Guitar Riot's website they have an OM-21. I emailed Brent (for newer forum members, Brent used to be sales manager at Dr. Z amps) and made arrangements for him to be there when I visited the store. I bought the OM-21. Now I can safely say, I have no interest in buying any more guitars. (for at least a year!) 2022-01-04_05-05-33 by John Doe, on Flickr 2022-01-04_05-05-17 by John Doe, on Flickr
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Post by BradPaisleyFan (Pat) on Jan 4, 2022 18:06:52 GMT -7
Very nice. Nothing like a good Martin 000. I love my 000-28EC
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jan 4, 2022 19:50:24 GMT -7
Sweet, but we're counting the days. You've only got 364 left!
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jan 5, 2022 1:38:55 GMT -7
Congratulations on a guitar I trust sounds as wonderful as it looks. I’m getting close to pulling a trigger on my next acoustic,but since I’m telling myself this has got to be it ( yea right), I am overthinking it as I am prone to do.
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Post by John on Jan 5, 2022 4:25:31 GMT -7
Congratulations on a guitar I trust sounds as wonderful as it looks.
After getting it home, making a truss rod adjustment and shaving the saddle down a bit....I finally got to spend some time with it. I normally start out with 13 gauge strings with a new guitar. If I feel it needs to move down to 12's, I'll do it. But this guitar, which I assume came with 12's on it, seemed very resonant..really resonant. Perhaps more than any other acoustic I have. I wasn't expecting it. And I don't think it's an imagined perception due to the thrill of new ownership. There were several times last night where I'd pick it up and play it for just 5 seconds, and every time my perception was that I could feel/hear the increased resonance. The back of the neck has more of a satin finish compared to my others. Neither good nor bad at the moment.
My initial reaction is that I'm going to keep using 12's on it. I like the tone just the way it is. It's brighter than most of my other acoustics...but not overly so. It's still well balanced.
I A/B'd it with my OO-28 (smaller body), and the difference in tone is going to make me try moving the 28 from 13's down to 12's. The new OM made the OO-28 sound...can't think of any other way to say this: like the strings are to heavy.
Between the balanced but brighter tone, combined with the resonance....I'm wondering if I have a real hit on my hands. I know my D-18 dreadnaught is a lifetime keeper, but I'm wondering if the new OM will be that too. I know it's only been 1 night, but I have a certain feeling about this one.
QUESTION FOR THE FORUM:
Being a new Martin, the strap peg for the bottom of the guitar was not installed. (it's in the case) Are these to be glued in? Or are they self fitting and rely on the tapering of the peg to hold it in place. At the moment, I won't be having a strap button install up at the neck joint...so I'm not sure it really matters.
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Post by Don A on Jan 5, 2022 6:27:46 GMT -7
QUESTION FOR THE FORUM:
Being a new Martin, the strap peg for the bottom of the guitar was not installed. (it's in the case) Are these to be glued in? Or are they self fitting and rely on the tapering of the peg to hold it in place. At the moment, I won't be having a strap button install up at the neck joint...so I'm not sure it really matters. The strap peg is supposed to be fitted and pressed in, without glue, usually by a pro. I installed the strap peg on my 000-15M myself. I didn't install an upper strap button on mine. I use a strap at the headstock. What brand of strings do you like? I tried a bunch and went back to the 0.012" Martin Lifespan SP phosphor/bronze strings that it came with. I tried 0.011's, but the 000-15M is not a very loud guitar and needs all the string mass I'm comfortable using.
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Post by detuned on Jan 5, 2022 7:13:15 GMT -7
Wait. Do you mean to tell us that you bought a guitar based on how it played rather than how it looks? That's crazy!
JK - Happy NGD!
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Post by John on Jan 5, 2022 7:49:34 GMT -7
What brand of strings do you like? I tried a bunch and went back to the 0.012" Martin Lifespan SP phosphor/bronze strings that it came with. I tried 0.011's, but the 000-15M is not a very loud guitar and needs all the string mass I'm comfortable using.
I used D'Addario on my electrics for decades. So when I started playing acoustic, I continued to use D'Addario. (phosphor bronze)
Then I A/B'd the D'Addario against some Martin strings a few years ago. And I preferred the D'Addario...and have used them ever since. If I remember correctly, the deciding factor was the D'Addario's were a little brighter. (we're talking splitting hairs here)
A few months back, I tried some of the 'latest-n-greatest' of the new coated strings. At three times the price, I didn't feel they were worth it. Yes, they lasted longer...but not a whole lot. They 'squeaked' less when your hand changed positions. (that was an unexpected bonus)
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Post by Don A on Jan 5, 2022 10:55:31 GMT -7
I selected the 000-15M because it was a very "woody" sounding guitar without sounding dull. It's like you can't even hear the strings, just wood. I've purposely avoided brighter strings, and like strings that have been played in (same on my electrics).
The only reason that I go with the Lifespans is that I seldom play acoustic and they seem to last a long time sitting on the guitar not being played.
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Post by Russell B on Jan 5, 2022 11:13:24 GMT -7
Wow! Very nice!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jan 5, 2022 11:31:24 GMT -7
Nice guitar, John! I definitely like the 21 series guitars for exactly the reasons that you've argued (that they're essentially a 28 with more subdued appointments).
Little-known distinction between the 000 and OM guitars: (Of course everyone knows the scale-length is different and the pickguards, but) the bracing is different between them, too. The 000 guitars have 5/16" top braces and the OM's have 1/4" braces. I can only imagine that this contributes as much, or more, to their differences than the scale length does.
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Post by GuitarZ on Jan 5, 2022 12:54:04 GMT -7
I'm jealous. I love my Martin HD-28V. But, I've always thought about getting a 000 or OM and popping 12s on for playability. I played a nice 000-15M at Gruhn Guitars when we visited Nashville and almost came home with it. I still wish I was a bit more impulsive individual and pulled the trigger. I actually have 12's on my HD-28V at the moment. I might do a thread on the experience to see what advice might be out there. I'm 50/50 on whether I'll keep the 12's or go back to the 13's. And, that's the right advice for the strap peg above. I did get the neck joint strap button installed. I couldn't warm to having the strap around the neck. I located a local authorized Martin guitar tech and had him do it to avoid any warranty issues if a problem arose. Also, thank you Mark for the 000 vs OM explanation. I want to say I've looked elsewhere, but it's never been boiled down that simply for me. Thank You. Enjoy that thing.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jan 5, 2022 14:11:58 GMT -7
I love my 000-28ec and have used 12’s on it sine I bought about 20 years ago. My end pin is the jack for a k&k trinity system. I rarely use a strap choosing to sit on a stool when performing; 90% of the time with my wife as a duo. I’m 6’6” and she is 5’5” so we balance better visually if I’m seated. If I use a strap it’s around the headstock which I don’t like. John you have me jonesing more than I was. I’m going to get another rosewood. Originally it was going to be D-28, then a D-35. Now I’m feeling the Martin J-40 is something I’d like to try. I think I like the size and balance, but not the bling. Trying one near our home is not an easy task, so I’m considering an online purchase. That’s typically against my principles. Anybody play a Martin J-40 against a Martin dread? John I’m envious, but happy for your new guitar. That’s a sweet instrument. It is so elegantly simple and rich in its appearance. Love it.
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